Summary & Key Points
"On October 11, 2024, the launch workshop for Phase 1 of the SIMBADE clinical trial brought together experts to simplify the management of hepatitis B in Côte d'Ivoire, outside of Greater Abidjan."
On October 11, 2024, the launch workshop for Phase 1 of the SIMBADE clinical trial was held in the Thérèse N’dri-Yoman room at the PAC-CI research center. The trial’s primary goal is to simplify the care and follow-up of people living with hepatitis B virus (HBV) in regions of Côte d’Ivoire outside Greater Abidjan.
The event was attended by Prof. Emile Allah-Kouadio, National Coordinator of the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (PNLHV) in Côte d’Ivoire; Dr. Raoul Moh, Executive Director of the PAC-CI Program; Dr. Anani Badjé, Director of Operations for the PAC-CI Program; Mr. Yoman Yao Boniface, President of the NGO “SOS Hépatites Côte d’Ivoire”; and researchers from the University of Bordeaux (led by Dr. Antoine Jaquet, Principal Investigator of the project), ANRS-MIE (France), Cheikh Anta Diop University (Senegal), and PAC-CI. The purpose of the workshop was to present this phase of the project—focused on a “feasibility and acceptability study in Côte d’Ivoire”—to the various partners.
After welcoming attendees and highlighting the theme and its relevance to the Ivorian context, Dr. Moh expressed his and the Executive Directorate’s deep gratitude to Prof. Allah-Kouadio for his personal and professional commitment to PAC-CI’s viral hepatitis projects.
Prof. Emile Allah-Kouadio, National Coordinator of the PNLHV in Côte d’Ivoire
Taking the floor, the PNLHV National Coordinator presented on “Achievements and Challenges in the Fight Against Viral Hepatitis in Côte d’Ivoire,” outlining the epidemiological landscape of hepatitis (A, B, C, D, and E) in the country, with special focus on hepatitis B and C. He immediately characterized them as a “deadly epidemic,” a major public health threat requiring mobilization by policymakers, health authorities, researchers, communities, and community leaders and agents.
He noted that hepatitis B has a prevalence of 9%, while hepatitis C stands at 3.3%—compared to an HIV prevalence of 1.82%. The alarming situation of hepatitis B has led the WHO to call for global mobilization toward its elimination by 2030. Despite technical and financial efforts by the government to improve access to treatment for hepatitis B and C, the PNLHV still lacks sufficient means to effectively screen, treat, and follow patients in the field.
Mr. Yoman Y. Boniface of “SOS Hépatites Côte d’Ivoire” echoed these concerns, emphasizing the association’s efforts—sensitization, free information and testing, in close collaboration with the PNLHV and with technical support from PAC-CI—to combat viral hepatitis. He stressed that the challenges in some areas—high costs of screening tests, vaccination gaps, and difficulties in patient care and follow-up—make the SIMBADE project a real opportunity for patient associations. The trial’s results could significantly inform the debate on the impact of expanded antiviral treatment for HBV in light of recent WHO revisions to treatment criteria for people living with HBV (PVVHB).
Dr. Maëlle de Seze, Researcher at the University of Bordeaux
Following this, other presentations were delivered, including those by Dr. Antoine Jaquet and Dr. Maëlle de Seze (University of Bordeaux), who respectively provided an overview of the project and detailed the key components of Phase 1—methodology, tools, target groups, study sites, and timeline.
Phase 1 will assess the feasibility and acceptability of a simplified strategy for initiating antiviral treatment, with or without a community intervention (involving community health workers in decentralized care and follow-up of PVVHB) in Côte d’Ivoire. To achieve this, field visits will be conducted across the country in decentralized areas.
Participants agreed to reconvene in February–March 2025 to present the Phase 1 results and prepare for Phase 2 of the SIMBADE project.
